The Los Angeles City Council will hold a special primary election on April 4, 2023, to fill the seat once held by former City Council President Nury Martinez.
If needed, a runoff election could be held on June 27, 2023, the meeting agenda stated.
Martinez held the District 6 seat until Oct. 12 when she resigned from the city council in the wake of a leaked audio recording in which she could be heard making racist remarks and derogatory remarks.
District 6 consists of North Hollywood, Sun Valley, Van Nuys, Lake Balboa, Panorama City, Pacoima and Arleta.
The elections will cost the city of Los Angeles an estimated $7.65 million.
The recording also featured councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León, and former President of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Ron Herrera. Each has apologized for their involvement.
The release of the audio tape resulted in days of protests at the city council chamber and elsewhere, with residents demanding that everyone involved in the call resign from their positions.
However, Councilmembers de León and Cedillo have refused to resign.
Prominent state and federal government members, including President Joe Biden, have called for everyone involved in the call to resign.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it was investigating if any crimes were committed with the recording and release of the audio.
During an interview with KTLA, LAPD Chief Michel Moore confirmed that his department was investigating eavesdropping allegations on the private conversation.
California’s eavesdropping laws prohibit anyone from “intentionally and without the consent of all parties to a confidential communication, use an electronic amplifying or recording device to eavesdrop upon or record confidential communication.”
The City Council has since appointed councilmember Paul Krekorian, who oversees District 2, to serve as council president.
